Shocking News: THE HUNGER GAMES Makes a Ton of Money at Midnight Screenings

The world’s shortest odds were in favor of The Hunger Games‘ box office. Last night, the film played in over 2,500 sold-out midnight showings, and late shows were added to accommodate the demand of Hungry Gamers (I don’t know the fan-base’s nickname). According to THR, the film grossed $19.7 million from midnight screenings, which is the most of any non-sequel film. It’s also the seventh best midnight gross of all-time. That total beats out the $17 million The Dark Knight and Revenge of the Sith. The record holder for highest midnight gross is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. Box office prognosticators are predicting that The Hunger Games could earn over $130 million domestically this weekend. The movie is currently in 4,137 theaters nationwide, including IMAX screens. Click here for our many Hunger Games interviews.

This is fun for record books and Lionsgate stockholders, but that’s about it. The sequel, Catching Fire, is already in the works and set to dominate next year’s Thanksgiving weekend on November 22, 2013.

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